Superior Bold-Leaf Formosa Keemun

A sample tea I got from Upton with one of my recent orders.

I have to agree with Jacqueline that this is a bit lighter in body and more oolong-ish than the Chinese Keemuns. My cup is a lovely dark red. I’m not really getting the smokiness myself, but I’m picking up on a sweetish, woody type of flavor. There is a definite tannin bite in the finish of this tea which is bugging me… maybe it needs less steeping time than what Upton recommended (5 minutes).

I enjoyed this a bit more with some soymilk which cut out some of the tannins and brought out a sweeter note. This was ok but not going on my list of items to buy.

As soon as I tasted this, I said “Wait?! This is a Keemun? It tastes like an oolong!” Lo and behold, it’s supposed to :) Formosa – I see! Once I wrapped my head around the fact that I’d be enjoying an oolong, and not a roasty chocolatey Keemun, I relaxed into it.

This one is pleasantly woody, with a rich, complex, sort of tangy flavor. Second steep sweeter and less woody. I bet it would be great with food. We are actually out of water here at work (we get spring water delivered because our faucet water is so vile) but I am going to save my leaves in hope that we get a delivery some time today so I can have another steep!

Thank you Michelle, my SweeTea, for this tea!!!